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Light of Hope: SF's Castro Celebrates Harvey Milk

Hundreds gathered in San Francisco's Castro district Wednesday night to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the election of Harvey Milk to the Board of Supervisors. Jean Elle reports. (Published Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017)

Hundreds gathered in San Francisco's Castro district Wednesday night to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the election of Harvey Milk to the Board of Supervisors.

Milk was the first openly gay politician elected in California.

A new tribute to Milk that was unveiled during the event provides a light of hope. The words "Hope will never be silent" will permanently shine over the Castro district.

After a year of attacks on LGBT rights by President Donald Trump's administration, the crowd also was celebrating the election of the first transgender woman to state office. On Tuesday, Virginia voters elected 33-year-old Danica Roem to the state's 13th District House of Delegates.

Supervisor Jeff Sheehey said the election of diverse candidates across the country adds to the celebration for Milk.

"A trans woman elected to the House of Delegates in good old Virginia, heart of the south. What progress! Sheehey said. "We're celebrating action, celebrating people getting elected to office, celebrating standing up for our rights, all wedded together. Resistance and action!"